Ok since this turned from a just bombin around the yard to a mowron style special I had to move it to the rally mower section and give it a new name. I started out just wanting something to tinker with and learn with so I experimented with it did a tranny swap locked it and lubed it then I did a tire swap tinkered with the engine and was content with it... For about a month.

Then I got to looking around at various pics for the skid deere when I was researching stuff for that and I was inspired! So work began on the deere yet again! It ran fine pulled great and was fun to drive so I had absolutely no reason to mess with it but I did anyway.

The base goals for the build are as follows:Goes fastLooks goodDrives goodCan keep up with the mowrons? (I think thats more of a driver mentallity thing Ill have to work on) :p

I already have a engine and I got a 820 through ebay (needs a pretty good bit of work) so drivetrain is pretty good to go. The major things are going to be reinforcing the frame for the transmission and eliminating as much of the frame flex as I can which means a lot of welding and angle iron and skid plates.

Now for the pics of progress!

Locker block

Just noticed the bat peeking through the crankshaft hole lol

Monolithic steering box that I am going to take apart eventually just to see how it works!

I could pretty much take the whole thing apart with a 1/2", 7/16", and a 5/8" wrench and socket I still got a ways to go but the rest is mostly fabrication/assembly and paint!

Cons:They expect me to run this with grade 3 bolts holding the bull gear to the hubs?not much room for a brake rotor on the areas machined for a key.No lock collars for the boltsnot sure if this is a con yet buuuuuuuut... Broached aluminum bull gear hubs... time will tell.

I ordered this for simplicity sake so I could just slap it together and be done with it and I love the quality of it there may be more cons than pros listed but I assure you it is worth the money or at least I hope so.

Dang stright! I was in the same position. Wanted the engine but didnt want to cut gaping holes in my hood. What do? Turn it sideways and only a minimal cut and air filter mod. Of course the exhaust is tricky but hey, i dont need a choke cable. I just reach forward and pull on the arm, spring loaded

I'm with red and doc on this one, way to cool of a hood to chop up and I always liked how when you turn a twin sideways the carb sticks out the hood to one side. At least do a test fit and show us how it would look

Im thinking Ill just build a new hood for it this winter I kinda wanna go automotive style and have removeable side panels then I can have a sick front bumper and not have to worry about being able to tilt it kinda like the JD 400 series

well bad news guys the kohler wont work for the deere :/ the 18.5 would be awesome and all buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut... Id rather have a 20hp intek vtwin :p I was helping out a older neighbor and he had a pos yardman in a corner said the tranny was locked up so I said I could probably fix that but he didnt want it anymore. I didnt even look at it just was thinking itd make a neat hood ornament for the massey so I slapped a log chain on it and drug it home with the massey after I got the yard crap pulled around that I was going to do I took a look at it.

Low and behold 20hp briggs intek vtwin I was to wore out to dance so I stood there and yayd :p Ill post pics someday. I included it in my update video so will link it here when it is done

Now for the bad... well kinda... It has a valve leak somewhere when I spin it I can hear it bypassing a valve on the compression stroke so the valves need to be reseated Im guessing, however since I got the motor for free I can take the money I was going to spend on it and invest that in performance parts/machine work aka port, polish, shaved heads, billet flywheel (I know cast iron is unlikely to explode but I like the idea of higher voltages to the plugs the bigger the spark the better), racing cam, better springs, billet rods, and lastly my personal favorites billet polished valve covers and roller rockers!!! Now is all this really nessicery? No not really but I am going to pick away at it one piece at a time and have it done by the next tractor party.